Churches, Mosques to reopen subject to guidelines – PTF on COVID-19

 

…Curfew relaxed, now 10pm – 4am

…Ban on inter-state travels remain

 

BY EMMANUEL OGWU

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The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has announced further measures to ease the lockdown of the country in the fight against coronavirus infection, after the review of the first phase of the easing in lockdown.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, at the PTF daily briefing today, Monday, June 1 2020, in Abuja, said the measures which have been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari will guide the nation’s conduct for the next four weeks.

Highlights of the easing published on the Twitter handle of the PTF show that more businesses are allowed to open. Also, Churches and Mosques are being allowed to resume but subject to guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols to be agreed with the state governments. Likewise, the curfew period has been reduced from 10 hours to six. It will now be between 10pm and 4am.

The PTF chairman said: “After considering all factors mentioned above, the PTF submitted its recommendations and President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review:

i. Cautious advance into the Second Phase of the national response to COVID-19;

ii. Application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country;

iii. Mobilisation of all resources at State and Local Government levels to create public awareness on COVID 19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities;

iv. Sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include:

a) Ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace;

b) Relaxation of restriction on places of Worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and Protocols agreed by state governments

c) Managed access to markets and locations of economic activity to limit the risk of transmission;

d) Ban on inter-state travels except for movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods & essential services;

e) Mandatory use of non-medical face masks in public places;

f) Mandatory provision of handwashing facilities/sanitisers in all public places;

g) Extensive temperature checks in public places;

h) Maintaining 2 metres between people in public places;

i) Strengthening infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities;

j) Isolation of vulnerable populations (elderly and those with underlying health conditions)

k) Massive information and education campaigns.

v. Deepening of collaborative efforts with community leaders, civil society, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, etc;

vi. Continuous mobilisation of state governments to take up greater role in the implementation of the guidelines and advisories provided by the PTF;

vii. Continued provision of support by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control @NCDCgov to states through guidelines to shape decision-making in responding to high burden LGAs and Wards; and

viii. Easing the total lockdown of Kano State and introduction of Phase One of the Eased Lockdown.”